Become A 5th Grade Teacher

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Working As A 5th Grade Teacher

Training and Teaching Others
Thinking Creatively
Organizing, Planning, and Prioritizing Work
Coaching and Developing Others
Documenting/Recording Information

Deal with People
Make Decisions
Stressful
$54,890
Average Salary

What Does A 5th Grade Teacher Do

A 5th Grade Teacher is responsible for educating children and teaching them subjects like math, English, science, or art. They work in a public or private school at the elementary level.

How To Become A 5th Grade Teacher

Kindergarten and elementary school teachers must have a bachelor’s degree. In addition, public school teachers must have a state-issued certification or license.

Education

All states require public kindergarten and elementary school teachers to have at least a bachelor’s degree in elementary education. Some states also require kindergarten and elementary school teachers to major in a content area, such as math or science. They typically enroll in their college’s teacher preparation program and also take classes in education and child psychology in addition to those required by their major.

In teacher education programs, future teachers learn how to present information to young students and how to work with young students of varying abilities and backgrounds. Programs typically include fieldwork, such as student teaching. For information about teacher preparation programs in your state, visit teach.org.

Some states require all teachers to earn a master’s degree after receiving their teaching certification.

Private schools typically seek kindergarten and elementary school teachers who have a bachelor’s degree in elementary education.

Licenses, Certifications, and Registrations

All states require teachers in public schools to be licensed or certified. Those who teach in private schools are generally not required to be licensed. Most states require teachers to pass a background check.

Kindergarten and elementary school teachers are typically certified to teach early childhood grades, which are usually preschool through third grade, or elementary school grades, which are usually first through sixth grades or first through eighth grades.

Requirements for certification vary by state. In addition to earning a bachelor’s degree, they are required to complete a teacher preparation program and supervised experience in teaching, typically gained through student teaching. Some states require a minimum grade point average. States often require candidates to pass a general teaching certification test, as well as a test that demonstrates their knowledge of the subject they will teach. Although kindergarten and elementary school teachers typically do not teach only a single subject, they may be required to pass a content area test to earn their certification. For information on certification requirements in your state, visit teach.org.

Teachers are frequently required to complete annual professional development classes to keep their license. Some states require teachers to complete a master’s degree after receiving their certification.

All states offer an alternative route to certification for people who already have a bachelor’s degree but lack the education courses required for certification. Some alternative certification programs allow candidates to begin teaching immediately after graduation, under the supervision of an experienced teacher. These programs cover teaching methods and child development. After they complete the program, candidates are awarded full certification. Other programs require students to take classes in education before they can teach. Students may be awarded a master’s degree after completing one of these programs.

Training

In order to receive certification, teachers need to undergo a period of fieldwork, commonly referred to as student teaching. During student teaching, they work with a mentor teacher and get experience teaching students in a classroom setting. The amount of time required varies by state.

Important Qualities

Communication skills. Teachers must collaborate with teacher assistants and special education teachers. In addition, they need to discuss students’ needs with parents and administrators.

Creativity. Kindergarten and elementary school teachers must plan lessons that engage young students, adapting the lessons to different learning styles.

Patience. Working with students of different abilities and backgrounds can be difficult. Kindergarten and elementary school teachers must respond with patience when students struggle with material.

Physical stamina. Working with kindergarten and elementary-aged students can be tiring. Teachers need to be able to physically, mentally, and emotionally keep up with the students.

Resourcefulness. Kindergarten and elementary school teachers need to be able to explain difficult concepts in terms that young students can understand. In addition, they must be able to get students engaged in learning and adapt their lessons to meet students’ needs.

Advancement

Experienced teachers can advance to serve as mentors to newer teachers or to become lead teachers. In these roles, they help less experienced teachers to improve their teaching skills.

With additional education or certification, teachers may become school counselors, school librarians, or instructional coordinators. Some become assistant principals or principals, both of which generally require additional schooling in education administration or leadership.

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5th Grade Teacher jobs

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5th Grade Teacher Career Paths

5th Grade Teacher

Science Teacher Instructor Education Director

Academic Dean

10 Yearsyrs

Science Teacher Adjunct Instructor ESL Instructor

Academic Director

8 Yearsyrs

6th Grade Teacher Special Education Teacher

Assistant Principal

10 Yearsyrs

Lead Teacher Assistant Director Director Of Admissions

Campus Director

7 Yearsyrs

Language Arts Teacher Adjunct Professor

Curriculum Director

9 Yearsyrs

Assistant Principal Adjunct Instructor Associate Dean

Dean

5 Yearsyrs

Special Education Teacher Program Coordinator Adjunct Instructor

Department Chairperson

7 Yearsyrs

Coach Preschool Teacher

Director Of Preschool

7 Yearsyrs

Special Education Teacher

Director Of Special Education

12 Yearsyrs

Middle School Teacher Spanish Teacher Pre-K Teacher

Director Of Teacher Education

5 Yearsyrs

Coach Trainer Training Manager

Director, Learning And Development

12 Yearsyrs

Lead Teacher Education Coordinator Health Educator

Education Program Manager

6 Yearsyrs

Special Education Teacher Assistant Principal

Elementary School Principal

12 Yearsyrs

Assistant Principal Middle School Principal

High School Principal

12 Yearsyrs

Assistant Principal

Middle School Principal

12 Yearsyrs

School Counselor Clinician Band Director

Orchestra Director

5 Yearsyrs

Language Arts Teacher Reading Teacher Kindergarten Teacher

School Director

7 Yearsyrs

6th Grade Teacher Math Teacher Assistant Principal

School Principal

10 Yearsyrs

Math Teacher Adjunct Professor

School Superintendent

14 Yearsyrs

Math Teacher Science Teacher Assistant Principal

Vice Principal

9 Yearsyrs

Average Length of Employment

Top Careers Before 5th Grade Teacher

Top Careers After 5th Grade Teacher

5th Grade Teacher Demographics

Gender

Female
75.4%
Male
23.0%
Unknown
1.6%

Ethnicity

White
81.3%
Hispanic or Latino
10.1%
Asian
6.4%
Unknown
1.7%
Black or African American
0.5%

Languages Spoken

Spanish
63.2%
French
10.5%
Italian
5.7%
German
3.8%
Arabic
2.9%
Mandarin
1.9%
Vietnamese
1.4%
Hindi
1.4%
Portuguese
1.4%
Urdu
1.4%
Russian
1.0%
Filipino
1.0%
Chinese
1.0%
Cherokee
0.5%
Sindhi
0.5%
Korean
0.5%
Cornish
0.5%
Macedonian
0.5%
Turkish
0.5%
Catalan
0.5%

5th Grade Teacher

Unfortunately we don’t have enough data for this section.

5th Grade Teacher Education

Schools

University of Phoenix
15.1%
Grand Canyon University
13.8%
Walden University
6.5%
Liberty University
6.5%
Northern Arizona University
5.6%
Arizona State University
4.8%
National Louis University
4.5%
Lamar University
4.1%
Capella University
4.1%
Nova Southeastern University
3.7%
Texas A&M University
3.7%
University of Houston
3.5%
Sam Houston State University
3.5%
University of North Texas
3.4%
Michigan State University
3.2%
University of Texas at Arlington
3.2%
DePaul University
2.8%
Iowa State University
2.8%
University of Northern Colorado
2.6%
East Carolina University
2.6%

Majors

Degrees

Masters
46.5%
Bachelors
33.0%
Other
11.8%
Certificate
3.4%
Doctorate
2.8%
Associate
2.1%
License
0.3%
Diploma
0.2%

5th Grade Teacher

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Real 5th Grade Teacher Salaries

Job Title	Company	Location	Start Date	Salary
5Th Grade Teacher	Fahari Academy Charter School	New York, NY	Nov 02, 2016	$73,383
5Th Grade Teacher	Lycee International de Los Angeles	Pasadena, CA	Jan 28, 2016	$72,230
Teacher In 1St. To 5Th Grade	Dallas International School	Dallas, TX	Aug 01, 2015	$47,525
4Th/5Th Grade Multiage Classroom Teacher	Miami Country Day School, Inc.	Miami, FL	Jan 22, 2009	$45,190 - $49,190
5Th Grade Teacher	La Fe Preparatory School	El Paso, TX	Aug 01, 2014	$44,802
5Th Grade Bilingual Teacher	Tyler Independent School District	Tyler, TX	Aug 14, 2015	$44,000
5Th Grade Teacher	La Fe Preparatory School	El Paso, TX	Aug 01, 2013	$43,497
5Th Grade Dual Language Teacher	Woodstock Community Unit School District 200	Woodstock, IL	Jan 08, 2016	$38,713 - $54,665
5Th Grade Teacher	Alamance Burlington School System	Graham, NC	Aug 01, 2010	$38,600

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Top Skills for A 5th Grade Teacher

Top 5th Grade Teacher Skills

Classroom Management
Thematic Units
Curriculum Development

You can check out examples of real life uses of top skills on resumes here:

Maintained effective classroom management by incorporating motivational activities and positive reinforcement strategies.
Created integrated thematic units utilizing multiple teaching strategies to reach all types of learners.
Participated in curriculum development programs as required.
Instruct 5th grade curriculum, design and develop units to meet the academic, intellectual and social needs of students.
Prepared weekly lesson plans and facilitated daily lessons.